The television version of King Charles III was aired in May, a month after he died, so he never saw the positive reception of his last work. However, for the Broadway and West End productions, in which he also played the title role, the play won the Olivier Award and the Critics' Circle Theatre Award and received a five-star rave review from the Telegraph's theatre critic.

The drama is a television adaptation of the controversial play, which portays a future Royal family, with Prince Charles ascending to the throne.

King Charles III featured the Queen's death, the ghost of Princess Diana and a constitutional crisis.

It was described by critics as the "boldest BBC show of the year."

The content of the drama split opinion, as royal biographers accused it of being tasteless, while others admired the drama's bravery.

One thing most critics agreed on, however, was that Pigott-Smith's performance was "incredible" and "sublime".

Other contenders for best lead actor include Jack Rowan, for his performance in Channel 4’s Born To Kill, Joe Cole, who had the lead role on Hang The DJ: Black Mirror, aired on Netflix, and Sean Bean, who starred in the BBC’s Broken.

Mr Pigott-Smith was awarded an OBE a month before he died for his services to drama.

John Grant, Mr Pigott-Smith's former agent, told The Telegraph: "It is wonderful news that Tim's remarkable performance in Charles III has been recognised by BAFTA. It is a fitting tribute to his long and illustrious career. He had a rare and much admired talent and it was a privilege and a joy to represent such a charming actor."

Amanda Berry, the Chief Executive of Bafta, told The Telegraph: “Tim Pigott-Smith’s posthumous nomination for a Leading Actor BAFTA for his last role on television in King Charles III is a fitting tribute to a wonderful career. It is a poignant reminder of how much he will be missed. Tim won a BAFTA for his breakthrough role in The Jewel In The Crown in 1985.”

While he is the first to be posthumously nominated for lead actor, Pete Poslethwaite was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 2010 for his performance in Ben Affleck’s The Town less than a month after his death. Oliver Reed was also nominated for that award after he died in 2000, for his performance in Ridley Scott's Gladiator.

Ant and Dec have had shows they present nominated twice in the same category; Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain’s Got Talent are both up for best entertainment programme.The other shows nominated in that category are The Voice UK and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.

The news of their nominations comes after the duo was split, with Declan Donnelly presenting their Saturday night show alone as Anthony McPartlin faced drink driving charges.

Ant and Dec are nominated twice in the same categoryCredit:
Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

The comedy pair has had great success at the Baftas in the past; scoring 13 awards as a pair, and Saturday Night Takeaway scooped the award for best entertainment programme last year.

This year’s nominations have made steps forward in terms of diversity; for the first time ever, all the shows in the scripted comedy section include a women in their writing teams. Two comedy shows with majority black casts are up for awards; BBC2’s sketch show Famalam, and ITV2’s time-slip sitcom, Timewasters.

Police procedural Line of Duty is the most successful television show on the list, achieving four nominations, including for best drama series.

Claire Foy has been nominated for the second timeCredit:
Netflix via AP

Netflix’s royal drama The Crown was not far behind, and is nominated in three categories. Claire Foy, who plays Queen Elizabeth II, has been nominated for the second year in a row, while Vanessa Kirby - who plays Princess Margaret in the series - received a nomination for best supporting actress. The drama was also nominated for best drama series.

David Attenborough-narrated documentary Blue Planet II stirred the nation into action over the world’s over-reliance on plastics, showing the impact of pollution on our oceans, and broadcast the devastating footage of a mother whale carrying its dead calf. It has been nominated for two awards, for best specialist factual and it is up for the audience-voted award for Virgin’s must-see moments.